Improvement in folding-chairs



P. B. VIELE. Improvement in 'Pending-Chairs. No. 126,595. Patented Maymazz.

'NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PLATT B. VIELE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING-CHAIRS.

Specifica-tion forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,595, dated May 7, 1872.

.ing the frame.

In the drawing Figures l and 2 are per spective views of two forms of my improved chair. Figs. 3 and 4 are a front and side view, respectively, showing the method of folding; Fig. 5 a view of the pivot-rod.

A A represent the front legs, and B B the rear legs pivoted together by the rod C, and connected above by the carpet or other flexible seat D, as usual. The legs A A extend up to form the back E, of which two separate forms are shown, that in Fig. 1 constituting a part of the legs themselves, being steam bent, and made in a single piece, while that shown in Fig. 2, has the back separate and connected by the ordinary slats a a.

The construction, as far as above described, is the same as in common use, with the exception of the steam-bent back of Fig. 1.

I place the pivot at. such a point that the length b, of .the legs extending to the front of the seat, is greater than the length b', extending to the rear of the seat, by which means a greater leverage is produced in front, the tendency of which is to straighten or make taut the seat'when pressure is applied, and thus prevent sagging, which is a dificulty in most chairs of the kind. This location of the pivot also has special relation to the curving of the legs toward the front, as shown at c c', by which the above-described leverage action upon the seat is assisted, for as the end c is a claw or hook to hold the floor, and the end c is a wedge to slide along, the result is, when pressure is applied, that the legs at the bottom will have a tendency to expand, which would not be the case were they made straight as is usually done. The location of the pivot is,

preferably, about two-thirds the length from the base to the seat ofthe legs A, more or less.

This feature is one novelty in my invention. This curve of the legs is such that when brought together, as in Fig. 4, they fold compactly in the same line, and the legs are of the same length, thereby leaving no projection of one beyond the other. To insure this action, the cross slat d, to which the rear of the seat is attached, is set back of the frame E,

which allows the parts to fill in and coincide.

This is a great facility in storage and transportation. Ordin ary folding-chairs do not fold closely together, but there is more or less projection each side. The pivot-rod O is a hollow tube extending from side to side, and abutting against the inner sides of the legs. The pivots proper are headed bolts G G, which pass through the legs and connect with the tube by screw-threadsf, or otherwise, as shown in Fig. ,5. If desired, thin washers may be placed on the bolts between each pair of legs, to give freedom of turning action, and prevent binding. These bolts being round, and of small size, allow the legs to turn easily.

One great advantage of this tube and these bolts is that they allow an adjustment to the thickness of the legs, which varies in different sizes ofthe chair. They also allow tightening or loosing of the friction upon the legs at pleasure. The tube gives a greater stiffness between the sides of the chair, and a firmer support than a solid rod or any other connection with which I am acquainted. By reason of its size it also forms a better shoulder against the wood with the same amount of material. I design in some instances to make it divided, or with an open seam on one side, as shown at g, the object being to produce a hugging or binding upon the bolts.

The pivot above described is cheap and much more elective than those in common use.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a folding-chair, I claim the tubular rod C and adjusting bolts G,wheu combined with the legs A B, in the manner and for the purpose specified.

2. I claim in a folding-chair the legs A B, made curved and coincident in the same direction downward, and of equal length from the pivot, in combination with the coincident straight lengths b b above the pivot and the cross-Slat d set back of the frame, said parts being arranged that the whole length of the legs and seat can fold in line with the main frame without projection, as herein shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name 1n the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

P. B. VIELE. Witnesses:

M. FILONS, ARCHIE BAINE. l l 

